I’ll be the first to say that I’ve never met a Morrissey single I didn’t like. “Suedehead,” “Satan Rejected My Soul,” “Dagenham Dave” – they’re all great. I was even thrilled with the singles from his “comeback” album, You Are the Quarry; in fact, “I Have Forgiven Jesus” has become one of my favorite Morrissey songs of all time.
The Pope of Mope’s new album, Ringleader of the Tormenters, is already generating a great deal of pre-release buzz. Produced by Tony Visconti and recorded in Rome, Ringleader... has a sizeable burden to shoulder: it must surpass the success of ...Quarry and must renew our faith in Morrissey’s vision.
The first single, “You Have Killed Me,” is disappointing. Although the song sounds a great deal like the rockabilly-type tracks off of Your Arsenal, the guitar-drums-bass combination proves to be lifeless and boring. For some reason, Alain Whyte has stopped singing background vocals, which leaves Morrissey alone to harmonize with himself. That’s a darn shame. (If you don’t think that Whyte’s backing vocals make a difference, a listen to “Jack the Ripper” or “Used To Be a Sweet Boy” will change your mind.) The song’s melody is nothing to write home about, either.
I hope that Ringleader of the Tormentors will prove to be two things: a success, and better than this single. Let’s hope I’m right. |